By JOHN BURNETT Tribune-Herald staff writer ADVERTISING Police say a man found dead outside his Mountain View home on Saturday morning was murdered. An autopsy conducted Tuesday determined that 52-year-old Robert John “Johnny” Leong died from a combination of strangulation
By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Police say a man found dead outside his Mountain View home on Saturday morning was murdered.
An autopsy conducted Tuesday determined that 52-year-old Robert John “Johnny” Leong died from a combination of strangulation with a cord-like object and a brain injury from a gunshot wound.
“We do not have anyone in custody at the present time, but the investigation continues,” Lt. Greg Esteban of the police Criminal Investigations Section said Tuesday afternoon. He declined further comment.
Police responded to a 6:52 a.m. report on Saturday to Leong’s home at 11-3410 Palainui Ave. in the Eden Roc Estates subdivision and found Leong’s body outside his residence, described as a lean-to attached to a converted shipping container.
Leong’s aunt, Cathleen Hiona Thompson, who lives in California, said Leong was raised as a hanai son by her husband’s aunt, who died about five years ago, and that Leong had been her caregiver on Oahu before moving to the Big Island.
“I think he had a good heart,” Thompson said.
She said that Leong’s birth mother also lives in California.
“She’s upset,” Thompson said. “… She kept in touch, and she loved Johnny and cared for him.” Thompson said that Leong’s natural mother allowed relatives to raise him because “she thought that would be a better opportunity for Johnny.”
There were numerous
messages of condolences posted on Leong’s Facebook page.
“4 U HAWAIIAN…. R.I.P. 1 OF THE BEST HAWAIIAN WITH ALOHA I KNOWN….” one message read. The same poster attached a YouTube video of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole singing “Over the Rainbow.”
Another wrote: “I will miss our very confusing conversations. RIP”
Friends also expressed concern for Leong’s son and his dogs.
Police ask that anyone with information about Leong’s slaying call Detective Ernest Matsumoto at 961-2379 or email him at ematsumoto@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Email John Burnett at
jburnett@hawaiitribune-
herald.com.
